By Shaina Street ’25
Julia Marie Weisner, a senior at Boiling Springs High School, joined University of South Carolina Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris as the second-ever student to participate in the university’s “Chancellor for a Day” experience.
Weisner, who plans to attend USC Upstate this fall to pursue a degree in secondary education, aspires to become a high school history teacher. She credits her grandmother, a longtime educator, as the inspiration behind her career path.
“I am very, very excited to attend here in the fall,” Weisner said. “It speaks to the opportunities they give their students in order to succeed even before they start coming.”
Weisner is one of 300 Spartanburg County high school students who have been offered the USC Upstate Promise Scholarship, which provides recipients the chance to earn a bachelor’s degree debt-free. She is also an Upstate Teaching Fellow, a distinction that offers high school students the opportunity to develop their teaching skills and gain hands-on experience in the field.
Weisner began her day in the chancellor’s office with a cup of coffee, served in a mug bearing Chancellor Harris’ favorite quote from his mother, Charlie Mae Harris: “Live life with an empty cup. There should always be room in your cup to receive input from others.” She was then briefed on the day’s schedule, which included leadership meetings, public speaking opportunities and a behind-the-scenes look at various campus projects.
She was introduced to members of the university’s leadership team and received a short history lesson on the institution’s past chancellors before taking an exclusive tour of the library’s new extension. The tour, co-led by Thompson Turner Construction, focused on how the university’s new and improved facilities are designed to support student success.
“I really enjoyed learning how intentional every building is,” Weisner said. “It’s really cool to see the behind-the-scenes.”
During a walk across campus, Harris highlighted USC Upstate’s Tree Campus USA designation and pointed out ongoing upgrades to university facilities. Weisner also joined him in greeting high school students visiting the university, encouraging them to apply for future “Chancellor for a Day” opportunities.
At lunch, Harris shared his vision for every Upstate student to graduate with at least one internship in their chosen field. Weisner also had the chance to meet faculty members in the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health, where she will study this fall.
Later in the day, Weisner took the stage to practice her own public speaking skills at the university’s 2025 Research Symposium. She concluded her day by receiving a certificate of recognition and reflecting on the lessons learned throughout her experience.
More photos from Chancellor for a Day can be found on our Flickr album.